Chapter 22: Chapter 22

thomas

I did not go to work today. I preferred to resolve the bureaucracies here at the hotel, to keep an eye on Cecília. The girl is still sleeping, lying on the bed the same way she fell asleep, while I drink a cup of coffee and check the accounts. After César's coup, I pay attention to everything the new CFO does, even from afar. I don't understand much about the accounting part, but I know how to investigate very well if nothing is being diverted.

"Ah, Thomas..." I look up at the bed and see Cecilia squirming. She keeps moaning my name and I crack a smile. - I do not know how to do that.

Looks like someone really enjoyed the shag. I watch her for a few more seconds and go back to work. She looks at the time on the clock and I remember that she has class. If you don't wake up now, you'll miss the schedule. I sigh at the girl's irresponsibility and stand up. I go to her and shake her lightly.

“Thomas…” he mutters and turns away. She shows her ass barely covered by her pajama shorts.

“It's me, and you need to get dressed.

- I want more, Thomas - say naughty and smile again.

— I know what you want, Cecilia. If you're good and get up, I'll give you more.

He groans again and turns to me, but doesn't open his eyes. I slap her ass and the girl wakes up quickly. She sits on the bed and looks at me scared.

- What…

- Today is Monday. You'll be late for class.

She gets up scared and runs a hand through her hair. He searches for something and finds the cell phone lying in a pile of his clothes.

- Oh shit.

He runs into the bathroom and comes out a few minutes later. When she sees me watching, her face flushes and she hides in the bathroom to change her clothes. She comes out fully dressed, in jeans and a coat, with almost no makeup and a ponytail that leaves the long red strands almost to her waist.

“I…” She points to the dull door and walks closer to me.

- You're going to be late - I say and turn my gaze to the computer screen.

As soon as I lift my gaze to her, I'm startled when her mouth touches mine. I blink in surprise and grab his face, but I pull away right away.

"What is it, Cecilia?"

“I thought…” Her face flushes and she pulls away, her eyes startled and teary. - He forgets.

The girl leaves before I can say anything. Run like the devil runs from the cross. I smell something sweet in my mouth and pass my hand, removing the lipstick that was on my lips.

What was it that just happened?

I stuff my hair in my hands and suddenly think it wasn't a bad idea to get involved with her. From the beginning, it was meant to be merely contractual, to hurt and control Caesar. I wasn't expected to get involved in any way with Cecília.

But then again, I hadn't anticipated her being so hot and interesting. The missing girl drives me crazy. She annoys me, disobeys me, and seems to think she controls me, then suddenly pleases me, obeys me, and is submissive. I don't know if he does it on purpose or if his style really fluctuates from one hour to the next, but it makes me… curious.

The idea was never to make her suffer, because in my mind she was just a little girl fresh out of diapers. I'm not that cruel. But seeing her so mature, hardworking and provocative with that sweet and bursting way at the same time, it was natural for my body to show signs of desire for her. So it will be natural for her to get hurt, because I want nothing more than sex. We're getting married, we're going to have sex whenever we feel like it, but I can't offer more than that. I need this to be clear to Cecilia.

But also what did I expect? I was her first man, so it's natural for her to be dazzled, enthralled and confused. I need you not to confuse.

My cock reacts from the pants when I remember how wet and delivered she was to me. How surrendered and submissive it was in my arms. I squint and close the computer screen. I can't concentrate like this anymore. I call the security guard who was supposed to take her to the college and it doesn't take long for the man to answer.

— Yes, sir?

— How many hours does Cecília leave today? I ask directly.

" She only has class until lunchtime today, sir."

- All good. You can come back here. I'll get it today,” I say and he confirms before I hang up.

Then I call my informant in Brazil, the man who has been following César and his wife closely. I can't leave him like that free for him to get ready again. He will always be in my sights. It's thinking about that that I smile and dial his number. I walk out onto the hotel balcony and stand there, taking in the view of buildings and traffic.

" What did you do to my daughter, you bastard?" Why doesn't she

me ? You are lucky that...

— Hey, buddy… Easy, easy, your little crystal is fine — I interrupt. “I'm a good man, Caesar. Proof of this is that I'm letting her finish college to take her back. Am I not sweet?

" You are a monster!"

- Shh , no offense to the friend - I mock and he curses me more on the other end of the line. — I must congratulate you, Cesar. You made Cecília with a lot of... care.

“ What are you talking about?

"You don't want to know the details, do you, father-in-law?" I just need you to know that she learns well and that I am very honored to have been the first - I say and listen to the silence on the other side of the line. “ You didn't, Thomas. You didn't— ” “Oh, I did. She loved it, I must say.

I listen to the hundreds of curses on the other end of the line with a smile on my face. I sit on the porch chair and wait for the man to vent his anger. It makes me very happy that he is like this.

- He finished? You have a good dictionary of swearing.

" You're lucky I...

"What what, Caesar?" Who has their hands tied? That you're scared shitless because you know you'd die in jail if I reported you? Huh?

I get serious and hit the table, because I will never forget this betrayal. I don't like to assume because the man was all the family I had, but his betrayal left me shaken. Only Caesar will never know about it.

"I have to go, father-in-law." I need to clean up your mess. I would even send Cecília a kiss from you, but she doesn't want to know about you, my friend. Until later.

I hang up and stay there for a while thinking about my next steps. Nothing I do is in vain. Like it or not, Caesar will pay.

I work more until it's time to pick up Cecília. I drive to the university and park near the entrance to his department. I get out of the vehicle and wait for her there, looking at the time on the clock. As soon as I look up, I see her leaving with her usual friend, the brunette with the green eyes. But this time they're with the guy from the other day. I clench my jaw as he brushes a strand of her hair out of her face. I see her face turning red.

Her friend sees me first and gets serious. She says something to Cecilia and the girl looks in my direction. Her eyes almost pop out of her face. He says goodbye to the two and approaches me with a pale face. Her two friends are still nearby. The girl smiles widely and the boy keeps a frown.

- What are you doing here? she asks quietly and looks around, seeing that we're attracting attention.

Do not answer. I hold the books that are in her hand, throw her into the car through the window and pull her to kiss her. Cecília is startled, but reciprocates, throwing her body forward and putting her hands around my neck.

As soon as I pull away, I smile and bite my lip.

— Mine, Cecilia. Only mine,” I say softly and she looks bewildered. - Let's have lunch.

It takes a while for her to understand that it's to get in the car. When he does, his face is flushed. She waves goodbye to both of them from afar and I get out quickly, screeching my way around the corner.

“You didn't have to be such a…asshole.

"Was I an asshole?" I just kissed you - I say carefree and put the sunglasses on my face. I drive towards the restaurant angrily. I don't even know why I'm like this.

"All it took was pissing on me to make it better." Don't you want to put a collar around my neck? — teases. “Earlier today you looked at me like I was a leprechaun for giving you a peck.

Speak that last resentful part, in a low voice. I park the car and look at her.

"Let's eat, then you continue with your angry speech."

I get out of the vehicle and she does the same, but mumbling. What did I say about changing attitudes? This girl is very fickle, for God's sake.

I guide Cecília into the restaurant and then towards the table. When we sit down, she avoids looking at me and smiles at the waiter as he approaches.

“Good afternoon,” I say in English to the man. — Two Gigi Salad , please.

“Two, not one. I want a Steakhouse . _ Thank you - Cecilia says and smiles again at the man. When I raise an eyebrow at her, the girl snaps back, "What's up?" Will you want to control my food too?

— No, Cecília — I answer and wave to the waiter, who hurries away. “You're playing with fire, girl.

She picks her fingernails naughty and looks at the other tables in the restaurant. I see her gaze focus dreamily on an elderly couple having lunch with one hand clasped. Cecilia grins at this and lets out a sigh.

Shit…

When she turns to me, her face flushes and she turns serious again.

- Can I ask you something? - She asks in a low voice and I make a sign with my hand for her to go ahead. “Are you still going to keep the contract or… are we going to have a normal relationship?”

— Yes, Cecilia. - Sigh. - Nothing changed.

She nods and looks disappointed. His gaze flicks back to the elderly couple and a lump forms in my throat.

"I'll never be able to give you that over there." You know, don't you? We are just…

- I know. Now I know - he says without looking at me.

— Cecilia, I don't want to hurt you. You are not to blame for anything.

"But it hurts anyway." He shrugs and straightens on the table, but he doesn't look at me. “I understand, Thomas. Your business is the most important thing in the world, isn't it? I really don't expect any affection, compassion, mercy or... love from a person who I now know grew up with losses.

I clench my jaw because I know she's referring to my family. I do not like to talk about it. Remembering what I lost only makes me weaker.

For the first time, I don't know how to respond. I don't want to be rude, so I keep quiet. I look at the elderly couple and wonder if I had had a different life, growing up with a family, with siblings, if I could have ended up like that. Anyway, I don't care. I own the company and that's enough for me. Ever it was enough .